I’ve created this post for any Radio Programming Letter subscribers who would like to comment on “Corny, old-fashioned radio,” “Lying To Your Listeners,” and/or the aircheck critique in the newest issue.
Everyone seems to think that because I get to travel around the world, coaching radio stations and ad agencies, I get to “really live it up” — fine hotels, exotic locales, etc.
Well, it’s time to admit it: I do. Life on the road is just one big vacation for me, as this video illustrates.
September, 1994 (continued):
In Hamburg I conducted my AIR PERSONALITY PLUS+ seminar for AlsterRadio. Ulrich Bunsmann and Werner Rawe were kind enough to meet me at the airport. As usual, all I saw of the city was during the rides to and from the hotel.
Hamburg looked quite beautiful; the word that came to mind was “sparkling” (although Germans are quick to add, “Yes, but it always rains there”).
And the Hotel Steigenberger — yes, the same company that owned the great restaurant at the Frankfurt airport (see my September 13 posting) — was exceptionally nice…except for the lack of customer service attitude of some of its employees.
One example: In setting up for our seminar, I cued up a videotape I used (this was 1994, remember)…but could only get it to appear in black & white.
I had seminar videos in all VHS formats — PAL, for Europe — so it wasn’t an incompatibility problem.The hotel’s A/V guy sniffed, “It’s not the equipment. It must be your tape.”
I explained that I had played this tape many times before with no trouble. He insisted the problem was with the tape.
“Oh, I see,” I replied. “I must’ve accidentally brought the cheap videotape — you know, the kind that only plays black & white. Or maybe the color fell off when I went through airport security.”
The A/V guy very reluctantly examined the equipment again and discovered that one of the settings was incorrect. Voila! — we had color. I waited for him to say something to me — perhaps a simple, “Sorry” — but he turned and wordlessly began to leave.
I know I should have resisted, but I couldn’t help it. I loudly exclaimed, “Hallelujah! It’s a miracle! God has restored color to my back & white videotape!”
I saw the guy’s shoulders stiffen, but he never said a word. My hosts, however, seemed to enjoy the moment.
Years ago I had the pleasure of coaching the morning shows at Singapore’s Safra Radio. I taught them my method for creating their own Unique Listening Proposition, wherein they invent fun things to do that never have been done on the radio before.
Here’s one little feature (among the dozens of good ideas they generated) that any music station can steal:
3 Minutes Left To Live: You’ve just learned that you have only three minutes left to live. What song would you want to hear?
I’ll expand upon that question and ask it of you:
You’ve just learned that you have only three minutes left to live.
What song would you want to hear?
And what is the one song you definitely would not want to hear?
See, when you read this blog sometimes you learn about cool free stuff — like the upcoming teleseminar Harlan Hogan & Jeffrey P. Fisher will be conducting soon.
Ask your question about how to record voiceovers at home or on the road right now. No charge to ask, no charge to register for the teleseminar.
